Hotel Boulderado: A Beautiful Destination for the Holidays and All Year Long

Christmas at Hotel Boulderado: A Grand Coloradan Tradition

Well, it’s here. Now that I have my turkey carcass boiling on the stove I feel comfortable embracing the holiday season. (I’m not one to rush things—I like each season to be experienced fully before approaching the next.) But now the countdown is on and it’s up to us not to let ourselves get all crazy with the cooking, decorating, celebrating and oh yes, the shopping.

I try to be like the French and adhere to quality, not quantity. I apply that to everything from what I consume to where I choose to spend my time. So let me suggest you buy less but do it in a more memorable manner. That applies to eating as well and even how  and where you spend time away from home.

Relishing a moment—whether it’s a few hours or a few days—at Hotel Boulderado, one of Colorado’s most historic properties, will surely make your holidays special. Call it Christmas central. Festooned with holiday decorations from its stained glass ceiling to its tile floor and all around its hand-carved wooden railings, this more-than one-hundred year-old landmark becomes even more splendiferous at this time of year. This glittering Victorian gem draws people from all over and to me, I can think of no other Coloradan establishment that exudes as much charm as the Boulderado during this festive season.

And this being Boulder, Hotel Boulderado manages to pull off a green Christmas to boot! Indeed, that’s a living indoor Christmas tree that towers within the hotel’s glass atrium lobby, soaring far above the mezzanine where people love to admire the hotel’s elegant decorations and delight in one of their Holiday Teas. Sipping fine Darjeeling and nibbling on finger sandwiches and mini cakes takes on a whole different allure within this gilded interior at Christmastime.

Hotel Boulderado

Oh yes, I suppose there’s the shopping to consider as well. I think our mountain towns offer some of the best. I fare better in boutiques than in large, impersonal stores, the scene you find in most Coloradan towns. Boulder’s pedestrian-friendly, Pearl Street Mall  is known to be one of the most pleasurable shopping areas in the country. To me, it strikes just the right balance between down-home Rocky Mountain cool and up-down sophisticate. I also love all the little restaurants, coffee shops and bars that break up this retail byway. Shop first and then languish at the Hotel Boulderado for tea, a drink, a lovely meal or a romantic stay.

Slowing down a bit and taking in lovely surroundings will enhance your holiday memories. Trust me. I’m sure it prolongs life—or at least good living. If you have any doubt, take a look (or even a ride!) on Hotel Boulderado’s more-than one-hundred year-old, hand-operated elevator, one of the oldest of its kind. It moves cautiously, but boy is it a joy to ride.

Hotel Boulderado, 2115 Thirteenth Street, Boulder, 303-442-4344 and 800-433-4344; reserve in advance for the Holiday Teas as well as for their Christmas Buffet and New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball, two other fun events at this renowned property.